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The eight people who died in a crash between two lorries and a minibus on the M1 were named as their inquest opened today.

They had been travelling in a minibus on their way from Nottingham to London, where they planned to catch the Eurostar to France.

As they drove along the M1 in Buckinghamshire their way was blocked by a stationary lorry near Junction 14 at Newport Pagnell. They had slowed down and stopped when a second lorry hit them from behind, the coroner said.

Four other people injured and taken to hospital. A man in his 30s is in a critical condition while a four-year-old girl, a woman in her 30s and a woman in her 50s remain in a serious but stable condition.

(Picture: PA)

A five-year-old girl is currently fighting for her life (Picture: PA)

In a hearing at The Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes, the city’s Senior Coroner Tom Osborne formally opened the inquests and released the bodies to their families.

The coroner’s officer Frederick Howe said: ‘I would like to thank all those involved in recovering and identifying the dead who worked tirelessly to return them to families as soon as possible.

‘My condolences and sympathy to the families for this tragic accident.’